Dry Dock Manufacture and Maintenance

by Matthew Formby

Offshore, underwater nuclear power stations would be manufactured in dry
dock just as ships, submarines and many current offshore platforms. Dry
dock construction improves quality, consistency and efficiency by
concentrating all the most advanced equipment, techniques and expertise
at one point of construction for all offshore, underwater nuclear power stations. Dry dock manufacture also parallels
the U.S. Navy's current construction system for nuclear powered
submarines and aircraft carriers, streamlining the application of naval
nuclear technology to offshore power generation. Many of the same
contractors currently working on naval or offshore platform construction
would no doubt be involved, drawing on a wealth of experience and
know-how based on real world problem-solving under some of the most
challenging conditions and strictest safety requirements in the world.

Centralized dry dock construction transforms nuclear plant building from
a one-by-one on-site construction process to a mass-produced
manufacturing operation, with all the benefits in safety, consistency
and efficiency that follow. Many nuclear power experts have recommended
adoption of standardized or even modular designs for nuclear power
plants. Dry dock construction takes that one step further, and builds
the entire plant at one location, or at any necessary number of locations
specifically equipped, designed and dedicated to that purpose. This mass
production process is also the only one that allows the building of the
number of nuclear power stations required to both eliminate greenhouse
gas emissions and transform the U.S. from a dependent energy importer to
an independent, massive energy exporter.

Once completed, a nuclear power station would be towed or move under its
own power to its location along the continental shelf, and connected to
underwater power cables through a docking station. Linked to
shore-side electrical grids the station would then become active. Like submarines and other
ships, the station would routinely return to port for maintenance,
resupply and repairs, thus allowing the same standardized,
controlled-environment benefits of manufacturing to apply to maintaining
the station to maximize safe, secure and efficient standards.